Look At the Birdie
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Review
'they show the hallmarks of Vonnegut's distinctive voice and style' --Daily Mail
'rather wonderful...still knocks most purveyors of the short story form into a cocked hat'
--The Times
`warm, generous and uncompromising spirit behind this collection.' -- Times Literary Supplement
'as outlandish and well turned as anything he wrote, displaying his impish playfulness.' --Times Literary Supplement
'Most authors spend a lifetime finding their voice. Here we see that Vonnegut's was well-established at the start of his career.' --Times Literary Supplement
'tightly plotted yet loose in style; spry; sporadic if not downright acerbic, yet with plenty of laughter in the dark.' --Times Literary Supplement
`All the stories are clever, witty and written with Vonnegut's trademark invention' --Mail on Sunday, Simon Shaw
'...a valuable time capsule, providing insight into the early developments of Vonnegut's style. Wry and ironic commentary...an enjoyable read'
--Aesthetica, Cherie Federico
'rather wonderful...still knocks most purveyors of the short story form into a cocked hat'
--The Times
`warm, generous and uncompromising spirit behind this collection.' -- Times Literary Supplement
'as outlandish and well turned as anything he wrote, displaying his impish playfulness.' --Times Literary Supplement
'Most authors spend a lifetime finding their voice. Here we see that Vonnegut's was well-established at the start of his career.' --Times Literary Supplement
'tightly plotted yet loose in style; spry; sporadic if not downright acerbic, yet with plenty of laughter in the dark.' --Times Literary Supplement
`All the stories are clever, witty and written with Vonnegut's trademark invention' --Mail on Sunday, Simon Shaw
'...a valuable time capsule, providing insight into the early developments of Vonnegut's style. Wry and ironic commentary...an enjoyable read'
--Aesthetica, Cherie Federico
Book Description
·LOOK AT THE BIRDIE is a collection of fourteen previously unpublished stories by the twentieth century master
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
In the vein of Vonnegut's heartbreaking phrase "so it goes", (when concluding stories of terrible attrocities against human kind) Look at the Birdie is a profound and mostly uplifting social commentary on numerous human behaviors such as adultery, parental arguing, mental health and social justice.
Each one of these short stories were short enough to read on the train ride to work and long enough to stay with me for a long time afterwards.
I loved this book.
Each one of these short stories were short enough to read on the train ride to work and long enough to stay with me for a long time afterwards.
I loved this book.
2 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Kindle Edition
The 3 stars, if I am honest, are padded out with sentiment. I am a massive fan of Kurt Vonnegut and have been ever since reading Slaughterhouse-5 about 35 years ago. (Why is this not on kindle! Get on the case amazon!) However I seldom enjoy reading short stories.... Some of Vonnegut's, in Welcome To The Monkeyhouse for instance, are fine. I enjoyed collections like Wampeters, Foma, and Granfalloons rather more.
I really think there were probably sound reasons why these stories were "previously unpublished..." and there's a clue right at the beginning of the text. This is a reproduction of a letter from Kurt to a friend written in the 1950s which prefaces the stories. The gist of what he says is "I write because it earns me and my agent and publishers money". No quarrel with that but someone ought to have exercised some quality control over these stories. The inclusion of this preface does rather feel like a bit of a two-fingered salute to the reader (i.e. "we published this for the money, not because we really felt the stories warranted it). My rejoinder would be if you're a Vonnegut completist try and borrow a library copy, and if not I really think you're going to find these disappointing. Read Slaughterhouse-5 instead!
The only really good line was in a story where the mother of a naive wealthy young person realises that the one great thing that money _can_ buy you is "eternal childhood". In the sense of not having to worry much about the world, grubby poor people, etc. Not madly original though, is it?
I really think there were probably sound reasons why these stories were "previously unpublished..." and there's a clue right at the beginning of the text. This is a reproduction of a letter from Kurt to a friend written in the 1950s which prefaces the stories. The gist of what he says is "I write because it earns me and my agent and publishers money". No quarrel with that but someone ought to have exercised some quality control over these stories. The inclusion of this preface does rather feel like a bit of a two-fingered salute to the reader (i.e. "we published this for the money, not because we really felt the stories warranted it). My rejoinder would be if you're a Vonnegut completist try and borrow a library copy, and if not I really think you're going to find these disappointing. Read Slaughterhouse-5 instead!
The only really good line was in a story where the mother of a naive wealthy young person realises that the one great thing that money _can_ buy you is "eternal childhood". In the sense of not having to worry much about the world, grubby poor people, etc. Not madly original though, is it?
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
1 review
9 of 36 people found the following review helpful
This isn't the "kindle" edition of the collection
20 Oct 2009
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
Before you make the same mistake I did, go back and "expand" your options of formats (click on where it says "Show 1 more format") because that is where you will find the correct Kindle edition of the collection of 14 short stories. This "format" is only for one story. I've contacted Amazon customer service so that they are aware of how misleading the listing is.
I already purchased the "correct" Kindle edition.
I already purchased the "correct" Kindle edition.
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